Five different takes on the North-meets-South film 'Sweet Home Alabama'

"Sweet Home Alabama" showcases Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Carmichael, a New York designer with southern roots, who must choose between her socialite fiancée and her childhood sweetheart. While the New York fiancée has money and power, Carmichael's first love is devoted to her, although his concept of chivalry is rustic at best.

While the plot of "Sweet Home Alabama" might be predictable – the heroine must choose between wealthy man #1 and noble but idiosyncratic man #2 - its humor is a bit of a novelty. "Sweet Home Alabama" strikes a comedic chord by portraying certain aspects of the south in an exaggerated way. It seems like few movies poke fun at the south, but "Sweet Home Alabama" does just that in a fairly successful way. But then again, perhaps I'm licensed to say "fairly successful" because I live about a mile from a battlefield where they reenact the battle of Guilford Courthouse, and I've seen the Confederate flag on a few bumper stickers in my day.

Regardless of where you hail from, it's refreshing to see a film that adds a humorous spin to the south, albeit a hokey and rather formulaic one. –Sarah E. Grant Greensboro, NC

My friend and I walked out of the theater in complete disbelief. Not to be insensitive or shallow, but neither of us found any semblance of plausibility in the film's conclusion. Reese Witherspoon's character, with her expensive taste and New York lifestyle, absolutely wound up with the wrong man. In fact, no woman in her right mind would pass up the opportunity to wed the son of the mayor of New York – a good-looking, romantic (and, okay, rich) guy who was absolutely crazy about her – in favor of a flannel-wearing, glassblowing hick who travels via biplane. Sure, he's got a heart of gold, but he got married in a sweatshirt. Both girls from northern east coast suburbs, perhaps my movie-going friend and I are partial to the well-dressed cosmopolitan lothario who wanted to get married at the Plaza (a personal fantasy of mine). Maybe we would have felt differently if we grew up in small southern towns. The fact is, however, that we didn't, and therefore unanimously decided that she had, after her ever-so-classy barroom nuptials, doomed her flourishing career and her wellbeing all in one stupid decision. –Jessica Herling Ambler, PA

"Sweet Home Alabama" was the kind of movie that left me smiling as I walked out of the theater. While the plot was at times a little predictable — who could not guess the ending from the minute Reese Witherspoon's expensive New York boots touched southern dirt path? — the characters were entertaining, and lively scenes contrasting north and south, from fashion runways to county fairs, really drew you into the film. Being from California, far removed from rural Alabama, I had a lot of fun seeing all of the southern culture and customs, or at least the movie's depictions of them. It even made me eager to take a trip down to the south myself. Though by no means an Oscar-worthy film, "Sweet Home Alabama" was definitely a movie well worth seeing. –Chelsea Pierce Santa Barbara, CA

I had been looking forward to seeing this movie, and I certainly was not disappointed. Reese Witherspoon proved herself to be a dynamic actress in a rol that required her to portray an urban snob, sloppy drunk, and friendly country girl.

For the first time, I saw the girl-next-door Witherspoon play a character who is not immediately likeable. Ashamed of her modest roots, she changes her name, dismisses her parents and feels completely superior to everyone she knew before moving to New York. Witherspoon realistically conveys the change of heart experienced by her character.

As a New Yorker, I really enjoyed the constrast between the North and South presented in the movie. It was interesting how Witherspoon's character really could have been happy in either location, with either lifestyle, Both of the men in her life were caring and attractive, and neither was villainized as is often the case in romantic comedies. The choice was really hers, and it was a tough one, but in the end I think she made the right decision. –Diana Petersen Massapequa, NY

Absolutely fabulous! In her new film "Sweet Home Alabama," Reese Whiterspoon, as Melanie Carmichael and with the same fashion sense as in Legally Blonde, takes us to the next stage in a woman's life—marriage. My favorite scene is of course the "Tiffany's Scene", where the handsome Patrick Dempsy surprises her by proposing to her at Tiffany's and saying two of my favorite lines, "Will you marry me?" immediately followed by the famous "Pick one!" the line that made every girl in the audience sigh. Girls love diamonds!! Especially those found in blue boxes wrapped with a white satin bows. A note for those seeking to get out any intellectual stimuli, don't look too hard, its not there. There is no great social commentary, other than if you want a girl to marry you, and stay married to you—you must have financial security. This is a movie you watch because it's cute, funny, predictable—that is why you love it! And not to mention the leading men are quite handsome. –Mayra Ceja Hollister, CA